Bio Usawa Advances African Drug Manufacturing with Modular Units in Rwanda

In a significant move to bolster pharmaceutical production in Africa, Bio Usawa has partnered with Pacific Environmental Technologies to bring modular bio manufacturing units to Rwanda. This initiative marks a crucial step in addressing the longstanding issue of limited drug access on the continent.

Innovative Approach to Drug Manufacturing

Bio Usawa, a private biotech company dedicated to improving drug accessibility in Africa, has signed an agreement with cleanroom and laboratory construction specialist Pacific Environmental Technologies. The collaboration aims to design, produce, and deliver self-contained modular bio manufacturing units to Kigali, Rwanda, by the end of the year.

These mobile production pods will initially focus on manufacturing monoclonal antibody therapies for diabetic macular edema. Future plans include expanding production to cancer and immunology drugs, significantly enhancing the range of advanced therapies available locally.

Dr. Menghis Bairu, co-founder of Bio Usawa, emphasized the importance of this development: "In a world where state-of-the-art, life-saving drugs for cancer and infectious diseases are not available to or affordable for a large majority of the world's population, this manufacturing module will allow us to rapidly meet the needs of these patients. We are building for scale, for resilience, and for the future of global health access, starting here in Africa."

Addressing Africa's Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for improved drug manufacturing capabilities in Africa. This realization has spurred several initiatives aimed at establishing robust pharmaceutical production on the continent.

In 2024, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) committed up to $145 million to support BioNTech's efforts in establishing mRNA vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Kigali. This investment aligns with the goal of creating an "end-to-end vaccine ecosystem" in Africa.

Additionally, the Gates Foundation distributed $40 million among several companies, including Belgium's Quantoom, Senegal's IPD, and South Africa's Biovac, to develop and produce mRNA vaccines for Africa and beyond. The World Health Organization also opened an mRNA vaccine hub in Cape Town, South Africa, further strengthening the continent's capabilities.

However, progress has not been without setbacks. In 2024, Moderna withdrew from its commitment to build a $500 million manufacturing facility in Kenya, citing a lack of vaccine orders from the African continent since 2022. This decision drew criticism from the Africa CDC, highlighting the complexities and challenges in establishing sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing in the region.